title: Do observed or perceived characteristics of the neighborhood environment mediate associations between neighborhood poverty and cumulative biological risk?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine contributions of observed and perceived neighborhood characteristics in explaining associations between neighborhood poverty and cumulative biological risk (CBR) in an urban community.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multilevel regression analyses were conducted using cross-sectional data from a probability sample survey (n=919), and observational and census data. Dependent variable: CBR.
  
  
  METHODS
  neighborhood disorder, deterioration and characteristics; perceived neighborhood social environment, physical environment, and neighborhood environment. Covariates: neighborhood and individual demographics, health-related behaviors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Observed and perceived indicators of neighborhood conditions were significantly associated with CBR, after accounting for both neighborhood and individual level socioeconomic indicators. Observed and perceived neighborhood environmental conditions mediated associations between neighborhood poverty and CBR.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings were consistent with the hypothesis that neighborhood conditions associated with economic divestment mediate associations between neighborhood poverty and CBR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Behavior & Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USA. Electronic address: ajschulz@umich.edu.
authors.forename: Amy J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Schulz
authors.forename: Graciela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mentz
authors.forename: Laurie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lachance
authors.forename: Shannon N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Zenk
authors.forename: Jonetta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stokes
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mandell
mesh_terms: D052636:Allostasis; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011204:Poverty Areas; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D014504:Urban Health
keywords: Allostatic load; Neighborhood; Neighborhood environment; Poverty; Urban health inequalities